2024 Women's AFCON: A look back at the MVPs of previous editions | OneFootball

From Mercy Akide to Ghizlane Chebbak, a look back at the MVPs who have lit up the Africa Cup of Nations since 1991.

Perpetua Nkwocha

The 15th edition of the Women's Africa Cup of Nations kicks off on July 5, 2024, in Morocco. It's the perfect opportunity to revisit the performances of the stars who have defined recent editions of the continental tournament.

Before diving into the new edition in Morocco, let's take a step back and appreciate how far the Women's Africa Cup of Nations has come. Since its inaugural tournament in 1991, talents have continuously emerged, but it wasn't until 2004 that an official Most Valuable Player (MVP) award was introduced. Here's a rundown of the tournament's reigning queens.

Early years without MVPs, but with goal-scoring queens

The first four editions (1991 to 2000) of the Women's Africa Cup of Nations did not award an MVP title, but several strikers still left their mark. In 2000, Mercy Akide (Nigeria) finished as top scorer with 7 goals. In 2002, Alberta Sackey (Ghana), Perpetua Nkwocha (Nigeria), and Veronica Phewa (South Africa) shared the Top Scorer title, each netting four times.

Perpetua Nkwocha, a Women's AFCON legend

A symbol of Nigeria's dominance on the continent, Perpetua Nkwocha has written her name in Women's AFCON history. In 2004, she became the first-ever MVP while also finishing as top scorer that year with nine goals. Over the years, she cemented her status as a prolific scorer and a cornerstone of Nigeria's attack. Nkwocha clinched the Top Scorer awards at the 2006 (7 goals) and 2010 (11 goals) tournaments. Champion of the Women's AFCON in 2000, 2002, 2004, 2006, 2010, and 2014 with Nigeria, the Lagos native also collected African Women's Player of the Year honors in 2004, 2005, 2010, and 2011.

2006-2012: The rise of new African stars

Other exceptional players have also left their mark on the tournament, such as South Africa's Portia Modise, who was named MVP in 2006. Two years later, the 2008 AFCON showcased Genoveva Añonma. The Equatorial Guinean striker netted six goals and claimed the best player trophy, a feat she repeated in 2012. In 2010, the MVP award went to Nigeria's Stella Mbachu.

Cameroon found its star in Gabrielle Onguéné during the 2016 AFCON. Voted best player of the tournament, she embodied the rise of the Indomitable Lionesses on the continental stage. She finished as runner-up for African Women's Player of the Year at the CAF Awards in 2016 and 2018, narrowly behind Nigeria's Asisat Oshoala.

Two years later, it was Thembi Kgatlana's turn to dazzle Africa. The South African forward snatched both the MVP and top scorer awards in 2018. That same year, she was crowned African Women's Player of the Year at the CAF Awards.

Asisat Oshoala, the new face of Nigeria

In 2014, a new star burst onto the scene: Asisat Oshoala, who was named MVP after playing a decisive role in Nigeria's triumph. While she didn't finish as top scorer that year, she made up for it in 2016 with six goals, once again leading the Super Falcons to continental glory. A clinical finisher and fearless striker, she has claimed African Women's Player of the Year honors at the CAF Awards in 2014, 2016, 2017, 2019, 2022, and 2023.

List of Women's Africa Cup of Nations MVPs since 2004

2004: Perpetua Nkwocha (Nigeria)

2006: Portia Modise (South Africa)

2008: Genoveva Añonma (Equatorial Guinea)

2010: Stella Mbachu (Nigeria)

2012: Genoveva Añonma (Equatorial Guinea)

2014: Asisat Oshoala (Nigeria)